Central Bearded Dragon Breeders

If you are after an exotic animal that looks adorable, has plenty of charm, and is easy to keep, the Central Bearded Dragon may just be the pet for you. Read on for more.

About Central Bearded Dragons

The Central Bearded Dragon is a native of Australia and it is so named because of the “beard” that they create under the chin when they are upset or disturbed. The beard is actually a flap of skin around the throat that has spines on it. The “spines” on the Central Bearded Dragon are found on the lower jaw and on the lower sides of the body. As well, the body is a grey to red-brown colour with pale patches over the body. An adult Central Bearded Dragon is 18-20 inches long on average but they can reach up to two feet in length.

Central Bearded Dragons are Great Pets

The Central Bearded Dragon is an extremely placid and trusting animal, and so it makes a great pet. You do not need a lot of experience in keeping “exotic” animals in order to have a Central Bearded Dragon so they are great for kids or beginners. The great part of owning a Central Bearded Dragon is watching the things that they do. One big thing is the display of the beard, which is done during breeding season, to show hierarchy, as a defensive gesture, or for other reasons. Bearded Dragons also bob their heads which is a show of dominance and done when they are in new areas, or during breeding season. Another thing that Bearded Dragons commonly do is wave their arms, which is a submissive gesture and is done to recognise dominant behaviour such as head bobbing or beard displaying.

Housing Central Bearded Dragons

To keep a Central Bearded Dragon, you will need an appropriate enclosure. The enclosure that you choose should be large enough to comfortably house your Bearded Dragon - large enough so that they have enough room to exercise but not so large that they have to chase their dinner for a long time. You will also need a suitable substrate for the enclosure. Some ideal choices include sand, reptile carpet, and paper or newspaper. Bark is not recommended as crickets can hide too easily in it and there is the chance of your Bearded Dragon swallowing it. You will also need some cage accessories such as rocks for basking and branches for climbing on. An essential that you will need is a lighting and heating source as Bearded Dragons are cold blooded. Be sure not to use heat rocks or heating pads as you run the risk of fatally burning your Bearded Dragon’s belly.

Feeding Central Bearded Dragons

Central Bearded Dragons are omnivorous which means that they eat insects and vegetable matter. You should feed your Bearded Dragon live crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and maybe even pinkie mice (one day old mice). As an adult, your Bearded Dragon should be fed once a day or once every other day. They will need to be fed more often when they are younger as they have large appetites. Bearded Dragons also love plant matter and will happily eat leafy greens such as dandelion greens, spinach, rocket, parsley, carrot tops, and silverbeet. They also like other veggies such as corn, peas, and sweet potato, and fruit such as apple, grapes, and peaches. Any fruit or vegetables that you give need to be finely chopped so that there is no risk of choking. A calcium supplement should also be given. Also be sure to give your Bearded Dragon constant access to fresh, clean water. The best way to do this is to spray your Bearded Dragon regularly – at least a few times a week as adults.

Other Information about Central Bearded Dragons

Be aware that reptiles are protected animals and thus you will need a license to keep a Central Bearded Dragon as a pet. To find out what the relevant legislation is, contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service in your state or territory.